Acupuncture Treatment for Renal Failure

2013-02-19 17:29

As one important external therapy of Chinese medicines, acupuncture has been widely used in clinic to treat various chronic diseases and pathological conditions. It can be used independently or as an auxiliary treatment for chronic renal failure.

During the treatment, fine metal needles will be inserted into certain acupoints on the surface of the body according to the patients’ illness conditions. Besides few side effects, acupuncture has the following effects.

Eliminating blood and qi stasis and promoting blood circulation

Whatever the underlying cause of renal failure is, one common pathological condition is renal ischemia and hypoxia which will further damaged renal intrinsic cells and tissues. Acupuncture can promote blood circulation so as to increase blood and oxygen to the kidneys and much alleviate the states of ischemia and hypoxia. By stimulating certain acupoints in the body, other symptoms like pain, numbness, swelling and ecchymosis due to meridian impassability and suffocated blood and qi circulation will also be greatly alleviated.

Alleviating fatigue and pains

Chronic renal failure patients often have dull and persistent pain, fatigue and general ill feeling due to building up of metabolic wastes and toxins and internal disorders and imbalances. Acupuncture can stimulate the release of endorphins which is a natural painkiller produced by the body so as to relieve the pain. Acupuncture can also soothe the nerve and block the pain signal being transmitted to the brain.

Acupuncture can promote metabolism so as to make patients feel relaxed and full of energy.

Controlling high blood pressure and alleviating headache

Some certain acupuncture points are good for controlling blood pressure and alleviating headache.

Improving sleep and appetite

Renal failure patients often suffer from poor sleep quality and loss of appetite. By alleviating chronic pain and controlling of high blood pressure, patients’ sleep and appetite will be improved.

Enhancing immunity

Another advantage of acupuncture is regulation of immune disorder and enhancement of immunity so as to make patients stronger and improve disease-resistance ability.

In practical application of acupuncture, it is often combined together with moxibustion and herbal medicines to enhance the curative effects.